PILGRIM TRAILS August 2021 Welcome to our newsletter - Pilgrim Trails This is our ninth publication charting the ‘Pilgrim Roots’ Project NORTH NOTTS BENCH TRAIL: Journeys The William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation bookbench at Bassetlaw Museum has been joined by others across North Nottinghamshire, forming a bookbench trail. Themed around journeys to commemorate the Mayflower’s sailing, the trail was planned for summer 2020 but is going ahead this summer. The bookbenches will have been designed and decorated by schools, colleges and North Notts BID members. Wild In Art, who are organising the trail said: ‘The bookbenches will be displayed in cultural venues across the district and we hope the trail will help to reinvigorate local high streets across North Nottinghamshire and re-attract some of the footfall The bookbench at the museum that has been lost during these uncertain times.’ The benches will be in place until September, featuring art work inspired by TREES & TRAILS journeys, adventure, freedom and pioneering spirit and selected through a district-wide design competition. Pop into Bassetlaw Museum to collect a copy of During the pandemic, more commemorative trees have been planted the trail leaflet so you know where to look in Retford, Worksop, Tuxford and along the Pilgrims Trail. The wooded grounds at Babworth church have Harworth. been planted with both a new Pilgrim 400 apple tree and one of ‘400 Oaks’ being planted in the district as part of the commemorations. PILGRIM ROOTS - EDUCATION OFFER Most of the oaks have been planted in a pilgrim plantation in the grounds of Hodsock Priory, where they will be a lasting legacy of the During lockdown, we have been working with schools and community groups (such as commemorations and have a positive impact on our environment. The Cubs and Scouts) to deliver video link sessions and our handling boxes to help them engage 400 Oaks project has been led by the Sherwood Forest Trust. with pilgrim history. The commemorative trees make a great addition We were delighted to welcome the first schoolsback to the Pilgrims Gallery in person to the trail sites; the pilgrim 400 apple trees during May, and the children loved exploring a new space, not having been on school trips have plaques with unique wording, reflecting the in so long. It was great to be able to do more hands-on activities with the students, even through masks/visors! Going forward, we will continue to offer tours of the gallery both in historic Mayflower anniversary and the context of person and via video to suit the needs of different schools from near and far. when they were planted. The Bassetlaw Museum apple tree includes the date of its planting and For local schools, we have handling boxes which can be borrowed to enhance classroom says ‘On this day, Covid-19 Pandemic was still learning. These are also great for use with young people working towards local history prevalent… we trust that future generations will badges in uniformed organisations, or to add interest to WI meets and similar. The boxes flourish as the world returns to normal’. The available are: Museum’s tree has blossomed beautifully this spring and the pilgrim 400 apple trees will be • Pilgrim Life: a selection of objects and learning prompts related to what life was like in mature enough to produce fruit within the next the 17th century. few years. You can read more about the Pilgrim • 17th Century Pastimes: explore what life was like for pilgrim children through the games they might have known, and imagine how you would have felt to be stuck on a 400 project in the previous edition of our ship for two months! newsletter. • The First Thanksgiving: a hamper bursting with foods enjoyed at the first ‘Thanksgiving’ Tree plaque at Babworth feats in 1621, plus resources to consider the different cultures, climates and diets in The pilgrim embroideries, created in Retford, are also being installed the Mayflower story & today. in the churches along the Pilgrims Trail. The first was unveiled in St • Pilgrim Costume: authentic replica costume to try on and admire, plus consider Swithun’s Church by the Mayor of Retford on 1st July, and the other materials, fashion and gender roles from the time. embroideries will be placed in their new homes throughout the summer. These artworks, crafted in traditional stitches by the pilgrim We can also come out and visit schools and other groups, to deliver embroiderers, will be a great addition to the attraction of churches on learning sessions; or to give talks on subjects related to the history of the the trail. pilgrims or the development of the anniversary activities. Our staff are able to bring precious replica items to sessions which we do not loan out We’re adding new functionality to independently, such as the authentic Wampanoag objects which help us our website, to host pictures taken explore their culture in more depth. Talk topics can be adapted to suit the by visitors to the trail sites so if interests of a group, but have previously covered ‘Pilgrim Mothers’ you explore the pilgrims trail this ‘Challenging Anniversaries’ and ‘Careers in Heritage’. summer, be sure to record it and share your pictures with us on social media @PilgrimRoots. REOPENING Bassetlaw Museum was able to reopen its doors in May as restrictions eased. It’s been fantastic to welcome visitors from near and far back to Pilgrim children the Pilgrims Gallery, and especially to see lots of young visitors enjoying trail activities during half term! A handling box Gainsborough Old Hall also reopened in July, so the Pilgrims Trail is back to full strength in time for summer. If you would like to see inside the churches along the Pilgrims Trail, get in touch with us at Bassetlaw Museum or by emailing [email protected] to arrange a visit. Holiday activities will be taking place across the trail sites this summer, and The Pilgrims Gallery we have included some dates for your diary in this newsletter. For the most up to date information, visit our events pages at www.pilgrimroots.org or pop into the Pilgrims Gallery. Gainsborough Old Hall The Wampanoag Perspective Project – update Delayed from last year, our exciting Arts Council funded project to host representatives of the Wampanoag Nation will go ahead this September! From the 20th-25th of September, Bassetlaw Museum will host guests from the Native American Wampanoag tribe who will be artists in residence, creating a wetu (traditional home) in the Museum grounds. During the visit, school groups will have specially designed sessions to learn about the Wampanoag culture, meet our guests and see the wetu being constructed. We will also be open to the public, who will have the opportunity to chat to the Wampanoag team about our shared history. The project will also include a conference on tolerance and a cultural showcase with music and dancing. This is a unique opportunity to include the voices of the Native Americans who were already living in and around the Massachusetts area in 1620, and who have often been silenced or marginalised in previous anniversary’s activities. The Wampanoag Nation are descendants of some of those who first encountered theMayflower passengers when they arrived in 1620, and of the group that shared vital skills – such as how to grow American crops – which helped Building a Wetu the passengers to survive. 2021 is the 400th anniversary of the first harvest‘thanksgiving’ meal shared between the pilgrims and Native Americans, so this has special resonance as we come together to share a more complete version of a common history. Isabelle, Heritage Engagement Officer for Pilgrim Roots, who is managing the Wampanoag Perspective project said ‘We are so honoured to be deepening our relationship with the Wampanoag Nation and sharing a platform to tell the Mayflower story more inclusively. I hope local people feel inspired to take part in the project and make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.’ There are lots of ways to get involved in what will be a very busy and exciting week! If you might like to volunteer to help with school visits, support the events on site or even host some Wampanoag guests in your home, please get Inside a Wetu in touch or pop into the Pilgrims Gallery for a chat. PILGRIM WOMAN - ART SUMMER DATES for YOUR DIARY Over the last four years artist Rachel Carter has been working on a series of Prepare for a summer exploring local heritage by adding these dates to your sculptures for the Pilgrim Roots Districts titled ‘Pilgrim Woman’, cast in bronze the diary, and keeping an eye on our website for more event announcements! sculptures feature a female figure dressed in authentic Tudor attire holding aPilgrim 400 Apple. • 21st August: Scrooby Manor Heritage Day. Come along to the home of the Brewsters for dancing, crafts, music plus explore the grounds and take a Pilgrim Woman: Doncaster - A large plus life size bronze figure that stands in the new DANUM selfie in front of this historic backdrop! This event is free, but ticketed to Gallery a striking new building in the centre of Doncaster. The Pilgrim’s dress is adorned by control numbers – tickets will be available to book online, check out our intricate weavings made by the community and the artist. social media for the latest. About DANUM - It has the space and facilities to display exciting exhibits linked to Doncaster’s fascinating history; including insights into its rail, mining and industrial legacy. This modern • 21st - 22nd August: Mayflower Quilt Festival. Visit Austerfield Church, new build itself retains and sympathetically displays the core central frontage of the former Hall where William Brewster was baptised, and admire local crafted quilts.